Strength in Wisdom

The Sabbath service in the Jewish home unashamedly reveals the high position of women in Israel from Biblical times until the present. Sabbath is primarily a home-centered, family celebration, which makes it only natural that the mother of the home receive the honor of lighting the candles. Traditionally, the husband recites what is with the most eloquent tribute to a godly woman that ever been penned.

Proverbs 31:10-31 presents the devine challenge for woman hood -- diligent homemaker, valuable helper, nurturing mother, upright and God-fearing woman. The "wife of noble character" receives a reward for faithfulness becaus she is not dependent on the temporary, superficial, deceptive facade of "charm," which is a mere outward varnish easily scarred and marred by people and circumstances, and "beauty," which can depart like an unfaithful friend to make room for wrinkles and blemishes. Rather she crowns an enduring, satisfying fear of the Lord with a reverent and obedient spirit that makes her worthy of praise and honor from her family and the Creator himself (Proverbs 31:30).

Homemaking is unique in combining the most menial jobs with the most meaningful tasks: it is a challenge to accommodate others without losing one's own identity: it is demanding pursuit, but the fringe benefits are terrific!

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, gave this glowing tribute of his wife Catherine at the time of her death:

To me she has been made of God, never failing sympathy, reliable wisdom,
and unvarnished truth -- in short, all that is noble and good; and consequently
a tower of strength, a mine of wealth, and an everflowing fountain of comfort
and joy.

With "undistracted devotion to the Lord" Catherine Booth was a woman to be praised because she feared the Lord.

By Dorothy Patterson